Hurricane Rafael is moving through the Gulf of Mexico…
By Adrian Fuentes
HAVANA TIMES – Over the last 24 hours, there have been numerous rains, showers, and thunderstorms in Havana due to the influence of Hurricane Rafael. These precipitations will continue for the next 12 to 24 hours in the western region, potentially becoming strong and intense in some localities as the bands of this tropical cyclonic system pass through our country.
At 4:00 PM EST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Rafael was located near latitude 24.7 North, longitude 86.2 West. Rafael is moving west-northwest at about 9 mph (15 km/h). A turn to the west is expected tonight, with this general movement continuing at a slightly slower forward speed until the weekend.
In the forecast path, Rafael is expected to move over the southern Gulf of Mexico in the coming days. Maximum sustained winds have increased to around 105 mph (165 km/h) with stronger gusts, making it still a category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which has a maximum of five.
Some small fluctuations in intensity are possible tonight. Weakening is expected to begin on Friday and continue through the weekend. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center, and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 968 millibars (28.59 inches).
In the coming days, mostly cloudy mornings are expected with the occurrence of showers, rains, and thunderstorms, which will become strong and intense in localities of the western region. Winds will be from the southwest to the south at speeds between 25 and 40 kilometers per hour, with higher gusts. Relative humidity will be 60% to 90%. High temperatures will be 29 and 30ºC (84 and 86 F) and lows 22 and 23ºC (72 and 73 F). The sea surface temperature will be 28ºC (82 F).
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